The Dangers of Mouth Breathing
Usually, people breathe through their noses due to the human body's design. However, some people are born mouth-breathers or become mouth-breathers later in life. A lot of the time, people breathe through their mouths during the night without any idea. Mouth breathing can pose health risks, including bad breath and gum disease. It can also worsen symptoms of asthma and diabetes in patients previously diagnosed. In children, the effects are more severe. Poor growth, crooked teeth, or facial deformities are all possible outcomes due to the lack of oxygen.
Signs of mouth-breathing at night:
Dry mouth
Bad breath
Snoring
Tiredness & irritability upon waking
Snoring
Hoarseness
Causes of mouth-breathing:
Nasal blockage/obstruction caused by a cold, the flu, or allergies
Nasal polyps
Enlarged adenoids
Sleep apnea
How to stop mouth breathing
Practice: breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Become more aware of the correct breathing techniques and practice breathing daily.
Reduce stress: being stressed can cause people to rush their breathing. When you're stressed, and you breathe quickly, you are more likely to breathe through your mouth.
Exercise: exercising can increase your need to take deep breaths. When you take deep breaths, your nose is more likely to take over
Clear any nasal blockages: this may seem obvious, but if your nose is too stuffed up to breathe through, it is essential to clear it out. Consider using a neti pot to get rid of any excess mucus build-up
